how much do you know Bruno Leoni?Friedrich Hayek credited Bruno Leoni with shaping his ideas about law and legislation. James Buchanan said Leoni identified issues that led to his work on public choice. So how is it possible that so few people know about this groundbreaking Italian political philosopher? But apparently we’re not talking about Bruno…
EconTalk fan Mike Munger and host Russ Roberts are working to change that. Recent conversations about Leoni. Munger begins by telling the story of Leoni’s eventful and “frenetic” life. After the war, Leoni, a political philosopher, taught a course called “The Principles of the State,” which Munger describes as closer to the Principles of Liberty and Law. In fact, Munger believes it was a “signpost” along the way to both. austrian economics and public choice.
Leoni shared the lecture stage with Hayek and Friedman (in fact, this was his starting point). Liberty and Law). He was an early and active member of the Mont Pelerin Society and was elected its second president shortly before his death. Despite his untimely death, Leoni had a major influence on three distinct parts of what we now think of as mainstream classical liberal scholarship. 1. Hayek’s distinction between law and law, 2. James Buchanan’s identification of the problem of political consent and political authority, and 3. Law and economic movements.
Let’s look at Leoni’s legacy and start talking about him. After listening to this episode, we encourage you to ponder the following questions: Additionally, we encourage you to take the time to share your answers in the comments.
1- Mr. Munger says: FA Hayek He attributed the famous distinction between law and jurisprudence to Leoni. What is the difference? And how does Munger explain the difference between Hayek’s and Leoni’s concepts? Wouldn’t it be better to live in a world where there are more laws (relative to laws)? Why or why not? (So as not to provoke Mr. Munger’s ire, what role do transaction costs play in your answer?)
2- What are the three characteristics that Munger describes as constituting Leoni’s concept of the rule of law?Why does Munger say that Leoni’s ideal system is “if the system is working properly? , There is no case Will you come before a judge? ”
3- How does Leoni’s concept of the rule of law differ from the kind described by Roberts (approximately 44 minutes)? What role do traditions and precedents have in Leoni’s ideals, and how does this How sufficient do you think your role is?
4- What are the problems with (written) law that Mr. Roberts talks about? To what extent do you think Leoni’s theory, detailed by Munger, addresses these problems? So why don’t judges need to be trained in jurisprudence or care about precedent?
5- Roberts and Munger conclude with a discussion of universality, which for Leoni is one of the characteristics of the rule of law. They note the “Golden Rule” as one of the more common iterations. What do you mean? problem According to Munger, what happens with this repetition? (Hint: He says do not have Do unto others as you would do unto others. I would ask them to do that. to you. And that is also the part that Hayek left out. )
